THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 3, 2026

Odisha Governor and Chancellor of State Public Universities Hari Babu Kambhampati has directed vice-chancellors to initiate recruitment to vacant teaching posts by the first week of November and complete the process by the end of the month.

Addressing a meeting on faculty recruitment at Lok Bhavan here on Saturday, Mr. Kambhampati said filling vacant teaching positions was the next major challenge for State universities after the appointment of vice-chancellors.

He recalled that vice-chancellors of 14 universities had been appointed on a single day after he assumed office as Governor and stressed the need for clearly defined timelines to take the recruitment process to its conclusion.

 “Merit should be the priority in the appointment of teaching faculty. Quality and merit cannot be compromised,” the Governor said, calling for the recruitment of the best available faculty.

Kambhampati also suggested that universities consider inviting all eligible candidates for interviews rather than undertaking extensive shortlisting and scrutiny at the initial stage. Such an approach, he said, would ensure that no eligible candidate was excluded while providing selection panels with a wider pool of applicants.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj endorsed the suggestions and asked vice-chancellors to set firm timelines for completing faculty recruitment.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal made a presentation on the status of teaching faculty recruitment in the State’s public universities.

The Governor also urged universities to pursue green certification, citing the platinum certification secured by Odisha Lok Bhavan from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Pointing out that most universities already had substantial green cover, he said they could work towards certification with some additional efforts.

He further called upon universities to adopt solar power on their campuses, either through their own initiatives or under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

Kambhampati also sought updates on universities pursuing accreditation and suggested a common tenure for vice-chancellors across State public universities.

 “There are some universities where the vice-chancellor has a three-year tenure and some have four years. There should be a common tenure,” he said.

Vice-chancellors and registrars of State public universities, senior officials of the Higher Education Department and Lok Bhavan attended the meeting.